Reclinable child seat assembly

Abstract

A child seat assembly has a base to rest on a vehicle seat, a seat shell, and a recline mechanism that selectively permits adjustment of the seat shell between first and second recline positions and includes a recline positioner, pin, biasing element, and handle. The recline positioner has first and second portions defining the first and second recline positions, respectively. The pin is movable between a released position and an engaged position in which the pin is configured to engage the first or second portion to retain the seat shell in the corresponding first or second recline position. The biasing element is coupled to the pin and configured to bias the pin to the engaged position. The handle is operable to move the pin from the engaged position to the released position in which the seat shell is movable between the first and second recline positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Disclosure[0002]The present disclosure is generally directed to infant or children's car seats, and more particularly to a reclinable car seat and a recline mechanism for same.[0003]2. Description of Related Art[0004]Children's vehicle safety seats or car seat assemblies are known in the art. Many known car seats employ a seat body or seat shell coupled to a seat base that rests on the vehicle seat. Such car seats typically have a relatively tall or high seat base such that when the car seat is installed on a seating surface of the vehicle, the seat shell and the child occupant are substantially elevated above, or relative to, the seating surface of the vehicle. The tall overall seat height can affect the view of the driver and can be undesirable aesthetically. Also, the center of gravity of both the seat assembly and the child can be relatively high. Such car seats can thus also be disadvantageous during a crash and / or when installed...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a reclinable child seat assembly with a seat shell, seat base, and recline mechanism. The recline mechanism includes a recline positioner, a pin, a biasing element, and a release handle. The recline positioner has two portions that define the seat shell's first and second recline positions. The pin is movable between a released position and an engaged position to selectively engage the seat shell in one of the two recline positions. The biasing element is a leaf spring or a leaf spring and the pin protrudes from it. The release handle has an actuator positioned along a front edge of the seat bottom or the seat shell and an arm that extends rearward from it. The guide slot and guide bar allow the seat shell to move between the first and second recline positions. The recline mechanism can have two recline positioners, two pins, and two biasing elements, or two recline positioners, two pins, and two biasing elements. The technical effects of the invention include improved comfort, adjustable recline position, and easy operation of the recline mechanism.

Problems solved by technology

The tall overall seat height can affect the view of the driver and can be undesirable aesthetically.

Such car seats can thus also be disadvantageous during a crash and / or when installed in a smaller vehicle.

The recline mechanism typically resides at least in part on the base, which can increase the base height, causing or contributing to the above-noted disadvantages.

The recline mechanism is elaborate and relatively expensive, which may make the car seat cost prohibitive to many consumers and caregivers.

The motor may also be noisy, potentially malfunction, and be difficult and / or expensive to repair.

However, such mechanisms typically include a relatively significant number of parts.

The result is a recline mechanism that is difficult and time-consuming to manufacture and assemble and is complex and not intuitive to operate when a user attempts to adjust the car seat among different selectable seat recline positions.

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